The Prime Minister’s handling of Tropical Cyclone Alfred has seen him draw level with Peter Dutton for voter satisfaction for the first time in a year.
The latest YouGov polling, provided to AAP, showed Labor consolidating its lead over the opposition, ahead 51 to 49 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.
The polling revealed voter satisfaction with Anthony Albanese has increased, rising from minus 12 in February to minus six.
The opposition leader’s standing among the electorate has slipped, falling back from minus two at the end of February to minus six in the latest poll.
It’s the first time since March 2024 the two party leaders had the same satisfaction levels among voters.
The polling coincided with Tropical Cyclone Alfred bearing down on the east coast, leading the prime minister to delay calling the federal election because of the extreme weather.
YouGov’s director of public data Paul Smith said the government’s response to the natural disaster had seen support for the prime minister rise.
“It’s fair to say the prime minister undoubtedly benefited by being seen to act decisively to support the response to Tropical Cyclone Alfred,” he said.
“In the same period as the poll, Peter Dutton was heavily criticised for going to a fundraiser, rather than be in his own electorate.”
The opposition leader had drawn criticism for attending a fundraising event at the Sydney home of billionaire Justin Hemmes as the cyclone was nearing his home city of Brisbane.
Mr Smith said the response by the prime minister in support of Ukraine after US President Donald Trump hit out at Volodymyr Zelenskiy had also contributed to the rise in Mr Albanese’s standing.
“Anthony Albanese’s personal satisfaction levels have significantly improved as Australians overwhelmingly back his commitment to stand with Ukraine,” he said.
“Overseas leaders who have stood against Trump policies have improved their polling results.”
Mr Albanese has maintained his six-point lead over Mr Dutton as preferred prime minister, leading 45 per cent to 39 per cent.
The YouGov poll also revealed 69 per cent of respondents supported President Zelenskiy, compared to 31 per cent who backed the US president in the stand-off over the war in Ukraine.
Support for the Ukrainian president was highest among Labor voters, with 80 per cent, compared to 71 per cent of Greens voters, 64 per cent of coalition voters, and 43 per cent among those who support One Nation.
After the US president imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium exports, Mr Smith said the response by the federal government could see further gains in support among the electorate.
“Trump’s 25 per cent tariff decision provides an opportunity for Anthony Albanese to improve his leadership standings further,” he said.
Labor’s primary vote remained unchanged from last week at 31 per cent, with the coalition’s also stable at 36 per cent.
The Greens had a 0.5 percentage point boost to 13.5 per cent in their primary vote, while while One Nation rose from seven to 7.5 per cent.
The poll of 1526 people was carried out between March 7 and March 13, with a margin of error of 3.4 per cent.
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